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Monday, May 28, 2007

VATICAN CITY, MAY 26, 2007 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from the Pope addressed to Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, archbishop of Florence, Italy, marking the fourth centenary of the death of the mystic St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi, a Carmelite nun who was born on April 2, 1566 and died on May 25, 1607.

In the Letter, which Cardinal Antonelli read out yesterday evening during a Eucharistic celebration in the cathedral of Florence, the Holy Father points out how the Florentine saint "continues to be an inspirational spiritual presence for the Carmelites of Ancient Observance. In her they recognize the 'sister' who completed the entire journey of transforming union with God, and who identified in Mary the 'star' on the road to perfection.

"This saint has the gift of being a mistress of spirituality for everyone," the Pope adds, "especially for priests, for whom she always nourished a real passion."

Benedict XVI expressed the hope that the ongoing jubilee celebrations marking the death of the saint "may contribute to making better known this shining figure, who shows everyone the dignity and beauty of the Christian vocation."

"May this great mystic - from Florence, from its seminary, from the Carmelite convents that draw inspiration from her - still make her voice heard throughout the Church, spreading the announcement of God's love for all human beings."MESS/ST. MARY MAGDALENE PAZZI/ANTONELLI VIS 20070528 (240)